Welcome to the definitive list of 25 towns in Massachusetts where house prices increased the most by percentage over the last ten years. For empty nesters or anyone who bought ten years or longer ago, they’ll enjoy a huge cash out when they sell. Data courtsey of the Zillow Home Value Index data
Most striking is the extraordinary performance of previously overlooked cities. Lawrence, Athol, and Fitchburg—communities once known primarily for their industrial past—have emerged as the top three growth leaders, with increases exceeding 145% in just a decade.
The Martha’s Vineyard towns demonstrate that even luxury markets can experience explosive growth. Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, and Tisbury all appear in the top 25, with their already substantial 2014 values more than doubling by 2024.
The geographic distribution reveals a notable pattern: many top-performing communities sit at the periphery of higher-priced markets. Gateway cities like Lawrence, Brockton, Lynn, and Lowell have benefited from their proximity to Boston while offering relative affordability.
Perhaps most revealing is the acceleration of growth during the 2019-2024 period. While the entire decade showed strong appreciation, many communities experienced their most dramatic gains in the latter half, with towns like West Tisbury and Millers Falls seeing five-year growth rates exceeding 75%.
Here’s the list.
1. Yarmouth: 118.47% Growth (2014 to 2024)
Nestled on Cape Cod, Yarmouth has seen its typical home values climb steadily over the decade. Starting at $267,883 in December 2014, properties increased to $347,549 by 2019, before surging to $585,246 by the end of 2024. This represents a 118.47% increase over the ten-year period, with a particularly notable 68.39% jump during the latter half of the decade. Yarmouth’s coastal appeal and vacation potential have likely contributed to its strong real estate appreciation.
2. Randolph: 119.81% Growth (2014 to 2024)
This Boston suburb has experienced remarkable property value appreciation since 2014. Home values in Randolph started at $254,561, grew to $378,742 by 2019, and reached $559,550 by December 2024. The overall decade growth of 119.81% outpaced many neighboring communities, though the 2019-2024 period saw a more moderate 47.74% increase. Randolph’s proximity to Boston combined with relatively more affordable housing has likely fueled this sustained growth.
3. Fall River: 120.33% Growth (2014 to 2024)
Once a textile manufacturing hub, Fall River has undergone a significant real estate renaissance. Property values have more than doubled over the decade, rising from $190,684 in 2014 to $257,189 in 2019, and ultimately reaching $420,139 by the end of 2024. This 120.33% ten-year increase, including a robust 63.36% growth from 2019-2024, reflects Fall River’s evolving appeal as a more affordable alternative to nearby Boston and Providence markets.
4. Baldwinville: 120.65% Growth (2014 to 2024)
The small village of Baldwinville in Templeton has witnessed an impressive transformation in its housing market over the past decade. Home values began at a modest $156,747 in December 2014, climbed to $206,113 by 2019, and surged to $345,856 by the end of 2024. This represents a 120.65% increase over the entire period, with 67.80% of that growth occurring between 2019 and 2024. Baldwinville’s rural charm and relative affordability have likely attracted homebuyers looking for value outside metropolitan areas.
5. Millers Falls: 121.30% Growth (2014 to 2024)
Tucked away in western Massachusetts, Millers Falls has emerged as a surprising real estate growth story. Starting with an average home value of $133,083 in 2014, prices increased to $165,894 by 2019 before leaping dramatically to $294,509 by the end of 2024. The overall growth of 121.30% is impressive, but even more striking is the 77.53% growth in just the last five years. Millers Falls exemplifies the growing interest in previously overlooked rural communities offering affordability and natural beauty.
6. Barre: 122.76% Growth (2014 to 2024)
The historic town of Barre has seen its housing market transform dramatically since 2014. With average home values starting at $174,104, rising to $239,752 by 2019, and reaching $387,841 by December 2024, Barre has achieved a 122.76% increase over the decade. The 2019-2024 period alone contributed a substantial 61.77% growth. Barre’s combination of rural character, historic architecture, and reasonable commuting distance to Worcester has fueled this consistent appreciation in property values.
7. Lowell: 123.53% Growth (2014 to 2024)
This former industrial powerhouse has experienced a remarkable housing revival over the past decade. Lowell’s typical home values have more than doubled from $205,402 in 2014 to $459,126 by the end of 2024, representing a 123.53% increase. The interim value of $291,427 in 2019 shows steady growth throughout the period, with a 57.54% jump in the latter half of the decade. Lowell’s renaissance can be attributed to its university presence, historic mill architecture, cultural diversity, and relative affordability compared to Boston.
8. Leominster: 124.55% Growth (2014 to 2024)
Known as the “Pioneer Plastics City,” Leominster has molded an impressive real estate trajectory over the past decade. Home values have surged from $196,301 in December 2014 to $268,924 by 2019, ultimately reaching $440,793 by the end of 2024. This represents a 124.55% total increase, with a robust 63.91% growth during the latter five years. Leominster’s balanced economy, central Massachusetts location, and relative affordability have contributed to its strong housing market performance.
9. Springfield: 125.08% Growth (2014 to 2024)
Massachusetts’ third-largest city has witnessed a dramatic housing market transformation since 2014. Starting from one of the more affordable bases in the state at $123,613, Springfield home values grew to $168,417 by 2019 before surging to $278,227 by December 2024. This remarkable 125.08% ten-year growth, including a 65.20% increase in the last five years, reflects Springfield’s economic recovery, revitalization efforts, and position as an affordable alternative in the state’s housing landscape.
10. Templeton: 126.63% Growth (2014 to 2024)
This central Massachusetts town has experienced phenomenal growth in its housing market since 2014. Templeton’s typical home values started at $186,031, increased to $250,540 by 2019, and reached $421,611 by the end of 2024. The impressive 126.63% growth over the decade includes a notable 68.28% increase in just the last five years. Templeton’s rural character, combined with reasonable commuting distance to larger employment centers, has likely fueled this sustained appreciation.
11. Worcester: 126.69% Growth (2014 to 2024)
New England’s second-largest city has undergone a real estate renaissance that has transformed its housing market. Worcester property values have more than doubled from $181,805 in December 2014 to $412,131 by the end of 2024, representing a 126.69% increase. The midpoint value of $252,911 in 2019 shows consistent growth throughout, with a 62.95% jump in the latter half of the decade. Worcester’s revival can be linked to its growing healthcare and education sectors, cultural renaissance, and position as a more affordable alternative to Boston.
12. Tisbury: 127.08% Growth (2014 to 2024)
This Martha’s Vineyard gem has seen its already substantial property values more than double over the past decade. Tisbury homes started at a premium $545,654 in 2014, increased to $741,973 by 2019, and skyrocketed to $1,239,088 by December 2024. This represents a 127.08% total growth, with 67.00% occurring in the post-2019 period. Tisbury’s appeal as both a vacation destination and year-round community on one of America’s most exclusive islands has continued to drive substantial value appreciation.
13. Southbridge: 127.62% Growth (2014 to 2024)
This historic mill town in south-central Massachusetts has witnessed a dramatic revival in its housing market. Starting from a relatively affordable $157,875 in 2014, Southbridge home values grew to $214,918 by 2019 before surging to $359,347 by the end of 2024. The 127.62% decade-long growth, including a substantial 67.20% increase in the last five years, showcases Southbridge’s transformation and growing appeal as an affordable community with historic character.
14. West Tisbury: 129.68% Growth (2014 to 2024)
The rural heart of Martha’s Vineyard has seen extraordinary value appreciation over the past decade. West Tisbury’s already premium home values of $686,942 in 2014 grew to $887,821 by 2019 before exploding to $1,577,797 by December 2024. This 129.68% growth over the entire period includes a remarkable 77.72% increase in just the last five years—the highest five-year growth rate among the towns analyzed. West Tisbury’s limited inventory, strict zoning, and appeal to wealthy buyers seeking privacy have driven this exceptional performance.
15. New Bedford: 131.03% Growth (2014 to 2024)
Once America’s whaling capital, New Bedford has harnessed impressive growth in its housing market over the past decade. Property values have more than doubled from $178,678 in 2014 to $412,800 by December 2024, representing a 131.03% increase. The interim value of $248,918 in 2019 shows acceleration in the latter half of the decade with a 65.84% jump from 2019-2024. New Bedford’s historic architecture, coastal location, arts scene, and relative affordability have contributed to its strong market performance.
16. Orange: 131.24% Growth (2014 to 2024)
This small town in north-central Massachusetts has experienced a remarkable housing market transformation. From a modest $129,871 in December 2014, Orange’s typical home values grew to $177,036 by 2019 before surging to $300,318 by the end of 2024. This represents a 131.24% increase over the decade, with a substantial 69.64% growth in the final five years. Orange’s affordability, rural character, and recreational opportunities have likely attracted buyers looking for value outside of more expensive regions.
17. Lynn: 134.12% Growth (2014 to 2024)
Just ten miles north of Boston, the city of Lynn has experienced dramatic housing market appreciation over the past decade. Starting at $236,498 in 2014, home values rose to $373,036 by 2019 and ultimately reached $553,690 by December 2024. This represents a 134.12% growth over the ten-year period, with a more moderate 48.43% increase during the latter half. Lynn’s proximity to Boston, coastal location, and relative affordability compared to neighboring communities have fueled this sustained growth.
18. Winchendon: 134.79% Growth (2014 to 2024)
Known as “Toy Town” for its historic manufacturing heritage, Winchendon has built impressive growth in its housing market. Typical home values have more than doubled from $157,774 in 2014 to $370,440 by the end of 2024, representing a 134.79% increase. The midpoint value of $221,812 in 2019 reflects accelerating growth in the latter half of the decade with a 67.01% jump. Winchendon’s combination of rural character, affordability, and reasonable commuting distance to employment centers has attracted increasing buyer interest.
19. Oak Bluffs: 138.24% Growth (2014 to 2024)
This vibrant Martha’s Vineyard community has seen exceptional growth in its already premium housing market. Oak Bluffs home values started at $493,045 in December 2014, increased to $685,377 by 2019, and soared to $1,174,612 by the end of 2024. This 138.24% decade-long increase includes a remarkable 71.38% growth in just the last five years. Oak Bluffs’ unique character, with its colorful gingerbread cottages, lively downtown, and island location, has continued to attract buyers willing to pay increasing premiums for its charm.
20. Gardner: 138.52% Growth (2014 to 2024)
The “Chair City” has crafted an impressive trajectory in its housing market over the past decade. Gardner’s home values have surged from $148,979 in 2014 to $355,346 by December 2024, representing a 138.52% increase. The interim value of $206,791 in 2019 shows acceleration in the latter half of the decade with a substantial 71.84% jump. Gardner’s affordability, manufacturing heritage, and location along Route 2 have positioned it as an attractive option for buyers seeking value in central Massachusetts.
21. Brockton: 140.04% Growth (2014 to 2024)
The “City of Champions” has knocked out impressive gains in its housing market since 2014. Starting from a relatively affordable $199,447, Brockton’s typical home values increased to $315,103 by 2019 before reaching $478,750 by the end of 2024. This 140.04% increase over the decade includes a 51.93% growth in the last five years. Brockton’s position as one of Greater Boston’s more affordable communities with reasonable commuting distance to the city has driven sustained buyer interest and price appreciation.
22. Edgartown: 141.10% Growth (2014 to 2024)
The crown jewel of Martha’s Vineyard real estate has ascended to even greater heights over the past decade. Edgartown’s already premium home values of $740,197 in 2014 grew to $1,053,979 by 2019 before skyrocketing to $1,784,646 by December 2024. This represents a 141.10% increase over the ten-year period, with a striking 69.32% growth in the latter half. Edgartown’s exclusive status, historic architecture, harbor views, and limited inventory have driven its extraordinary performance in an already premium market.
23. Fitchburg: 146.53% Growth (2014 to 2024)
This former industrial city in north-central Massachusetts has engineered a remarkable comeback in its housing market. From a modest $155,081 in December 2014, Fitchburg’s typical home values increased to $225,674 by 2019 before surging to $382,323 by the end of 2024. This represents a 146.53% growth over the decade, with a notable 69.41% increase in the last five years. Fitchburg’s affordability, improving downtown, university presence, and reasonable commuting distance to larger employment centers have contributed to its strong performance.
24. Athol: 155.70% Growth (2014 to 2024)
Once known primarily for its tool manufacturing, Athol has sharpened its position in the Massachusetts housing market with exceptional growth. Starting from one of the more affordable bases in the state at $123,835 in 2014, home values grew to $180,225 by 2019 before soaring to $316,645 by December 2024. This remarkable 155.70% ten-year growth includes an impressive 75.69% increase in just the last five years. Athol’s combination of affordability, natural beauty, and growing appeal to remote workers has powered its extraordinary appreciation.
25. Lawrence: 166.56% Growth (2014 to 2024)
The “Immigrant City” leads all Massachusetts communities with the most dramatic housing market transformation of the decade. Lawrence’s home values have skyrocketed from $174,367 in December 2014 to $464,786 by the end of 2024, representing an extraordinary 166.56% increase. The interim value of $282,946 in 2019 shows consistent growth throughout, with a substantial 64.27% jump in the latter five years. Lawrence’s remarkable revival can be attributed to its historic mill architecture, vibrant multicultural community, proximity to Boston, and status as one of the last affordable markets in the region.
